Even though Rosh Hashanah came a little bit later this year, for some reason I was still scrambling till the last minute. Thank goodness it all came together somehow by the time it was time to light the candles! Setting my table took about three days, (believe it or not), and of course it always looks so effortless when the guests walk in.

1- My tablecloth- a simple linen hem stitch cloth was the backdrop for the beautiful dishes that my mom packed up as a gift to me before the holiday. She had owned them for about 40 years, and I seem to remember the navy dishes with the gold scrollwork being piled high at the the disco-dinner party that my parents had made for my older brother back in the 70’s. Looking back, she still wishes that she had ordered more than service for 18. Out of curiosity, I checked on Replacements.com and actually found these dishes! Unfortunately they are out of stock but will let me know if they ever uncover any more.

2- My napkin rings are lucite each napkin ring has a small hole to display a flower. You can purchase them at The Jewish Hostess Shop. I didn’t want to deal with keeping real flowers alive with water that would spill on everyone’s new holiday clothes, so I sent my daughter to the flower district on 28 Street between 6 and 7th in Manhattan to find very real looking orchids which we snipped with scissors and slid into each ring.

3- Honey dippers- I bought these wooden honey dippers from www.craftparts.com. They were so inexpensive! About $30. for 50 of them. The little kids had a great time sliding them into the lucite napkin rings, and I also bought honey sticks (not shown) which we also slid into the napkin rings on the kids table.

4- I have about 6 of my grandmother’s little crystal shot glasses (above), so I poured some honey into each of them and spread them along the length of the table.

5- I had a lot of fun putting together my centerpiece of “new fruits” for my Rosh Hashanah table. Last year I purchased this L’Objet centerpiece bowl from Parci Parla, and I knew that it would be a perfect match for my mom’s gold dishes. I purchased a gold apple for about $15 from “Aimee”, and a gold butterfly from Karen’s Invitations on Avenue U and then ran into Ouri’s fruit store to get whatever new gorgeous fruits that were still left on the shelves. Ouri had the best Medjool dates, mini pineapples, dates on the vine, concord grapes, champagne grapes, raisins on the stem, Meyer lemons (which gave a pop of color), and several more fruits which I cannot remember the names. (If you really want to know ALL of the names of these fruits then I give you permission to email Martha Stewart with any questions and I’m sure she will answer you right away- let me know!)

6- I love these little tasting spoons and bowls that I found online from http://www.worldmarket.com, and I especially loved how cool all of the red pomegranates seeds looked lined up in the white ceramic tasting spoons before we said the Beracha.

7- Sugar in a mini silver dish…. (above), and “sillet”(next to the apple and the medjool date) made by my mother in law- which is a Syrian recipe for the gourd. I will hopefully post this gourd recipe by next Rosh Hashanah!

After this pic was taken, we put out the rest of the berachot which included leek edjeh, (fried patties made by my mother in law) sugared quince, and loobiah (meat stew made with black eyed peas)

8. Note the natural honey in the wood crate from Ouri’s fruit. Ouri warned the women in the fruit store not to let their families eat the “waxy” exterior which he said is not kosher. Just serve the delicious honey that drips out!

Ok, I’m literally speechless as I post this spectacular Purim fantasy. I’m sure that every kid on the block will wish that Raquel Dabah was their grandma when she unveils this candy encrusted maypole on Purim Day. This is also a great kid’s party or bridal shower idea. Raquel, you are amazing!!! Thank you for inspiring all of us! Happy Purim!

Marlene

P.S. Obviously creativity is all in the family- Raquel’s daughter Joyce is well known for her home decorating talents. Check out her website HERE.

Every year on Purim, my mom dresses up, and my dad also wears a matching costume. My mom goes all out and invites everyone on the street to hear the Megillah and later have brunch at her home. She always creates a unique intricate theme. This year was the first time she singlehandedly created this maypole. It has stone encrusted ice cream cones, and packages of candy hanging from ribbons held together with baby hair clips, there are cellophane bags for the kids to come in and fill there bags with crunchie bars, marshmallows sour sticks, jellybeans, gumdrops, lollipops and more. She bags her own Hamatashen, sambusak, cheese cake and more. It’s beautiful and delicious!”

Dear Hostesses, help us vote for the winner of the fabulous New York Times Passover Cookbook.

Winner with the most votes for Mishloach Manot or Purim table wins

this New York Times Passover Cookbook! A necessity on Passover!

Scroll down and comment below with your favorite!

No matter who wins this Passover Cookbook, I’d like to thank all of my hostesses for reading and submitting. This is just a great way for all of us to connect and share inspiration for our Jewish Holiday gatherings. Thanks again! Marlene

“Corn on the cob cupcakes in corn holder, hot dog cookie in hot dog holder (with chocolate hamantach), watermelon plate, checkered “tablecloth” napkin and a juice box in a cardboard bakery box with a handle on top for easy transport” Tammy Parker

3-Thank You Anna Herz!- “Hi Marlene, This is how we do it in Great Neck, NY! My husband and I keep kosher – so this tastes (according to our non Jewish friends ) just like pork prosciutto. We cure it ourselves. Tastes like bacon when dried but not smokey.”

4- “My mishloach manot is a humble but practical package that includes pasta sauce, pasta and Halutza olive oil. The oil is produced in Israel and it is available from israeliproducts.com“. Miriam Kairey

5- “Hi Marlene, Just wanted to share what I did for mishloach manot this year. I opted for something simple yet elegant. I used mason jars and layered hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and Oreo cookies. I covered the jars with fabric and suede cord, made simple instructions which I secured under the lid, printed some labels, and Voila! Hot cocoa in a jar!! Thanks, Dalia Dabah “

6- “Hi Marlene! This year I worked from the bottom up – Started off with a miniature wok, added mixed vegetable sushi with spicy mayo on the side, malt bear in coordinating colors, green tea, a mandarin orange, and a fortune cookie. I finished it off with chop sticks and a poem tying my theme all together! Happy Purim!! From Ilene S.”

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7- “This was my friend Marjorie Eida’s idea. I bought the olive oil holder, jar, and cheese holder form Amazing Savings. There’s also a little chefs knife if you can see the handle in the pic. The olive oil was infused with garlic and rosemary, and herbs. In the little glass jars are 2 different kinds of olives, black olive tapenade and a sun dried tomato jam. I put a fresh mozzarella ball and garlic chive cheese. Roasted spiced nuts, and homemade zaatar chips.” Laura Cohen

8- “My name is Randi, and I am writing to you from Johannesburg, South Africa.
This is a much better picture, we made all different faces and pictures on the flowers, with edible markers and edible glitter. We made regular chocolate cup cakes and used green laffy taffy (called fizzers here)
My 10 year old daughter, Aliza wrote a poem to go with it.

On the day of purim so long ago
Haman was hung on the gallows
Venahafochu, Mordechai did stay alive,
And all the Jews did survive.
A few days before,
Queen Esther made a law,
All Jews would fast, in order that the Jewish Nation would last.
Flowers are a symbol of happiness and life,
May the Jewish People know no more strife.”

9- “Hi Marlene,
Here’s my mishloach manot.I made the 2-tiered servers by gluing candlesticks to plates and bowls with
epoxy, spray painting the bottoms with silver paint (priming first), then gluing them together.
In the top bowl are meringues (I’m obsessed with them…the best guilt-free
dessert…I have them perfected so they are crispy on the outside and chewy
on the inside). On the bottom are vanilla and strawberry macarons with pareve cream cheese
buttercream (heaven! These little things live up to all the macaron hype).
Those mini cupcake holders are from The Peppermill.
The little almond cakes have marzipan in the recipe (really delicious), and
are covered with homemade marshmallow fondant. The flowers on top were made
with gum paste and white, silver, and pink edible pearls.
I developed and perfected all the recipes myself.
Everything was pink and white. The finished product was wrapped in
cellophane and tied with white grosgrain ribbon with silver dots. It looked
like a $100 but each one cost less than $5! “Victoria Dwek

Don’t miss a single recipe or gorgeous table setting idea!

Thank you Ruthie for your beautiful note and for sharing your Hanukkah tips with us!!! Marlene

“Dear Marlene,

This is my Hanuka tablesetting for this year.

I started out with a white tablecloth as a base and a ran silver and white stripe wrapping paper down the middle.

I used silver square chargers from Amazing Savings and glass square dishes from Kitchen kaboodles .

Under the dinner plate I placed the napkin and under the salad plate.

I put metalic blue driedels and menorahs also purchased from Amazing Savings .

The blue water glasses are from Wishing Well and the wine goblets were borrowed from my mother.

Scattered all over the table are silver chocolate coins and metalic dreidels and menorahs…

The centerpeice is a vase from Home Goods filled with faux blue hydrangeas , white orchids and branches which will last through the entire Hanuka and ill look foward to bringing them out year after year!

What a Hanukka dessert table! Thank you Sarah Nuseiri for sharing your Hanukkah party with us!!! I especially love the Hanukka cake pops!!!

“Hi Marlene!

I had the best time doing this dessert table! I think the highlight are my munchkin cake pops. I originally thought of making jelly donut cake pops, but didnt have the time. So I literally bought a dozen jelly donuts, chocolate and powdered munchkins from Dunkin Donuts, stuck them on a popsicle and added ribbon! Easiest thing ever,and adorable!! Shirley Mamiye Dana did the gorgeous Hannuka cookies and cupcakes. She’s amazing! I think its more of a fun Hanukka table for kids to enjoy after lighting. There’s lots of candies and chocolates, and the chocolate gelt streamers were also a fun idea. The mirrors are propped up on candles and it would be a cool effect if they were lit (I didn’t want to ruin the tablecloth though). I wrote Happy Hannuka with dry erase marker. These could be used to personalize any event, either on the buffet , or even as initial place setting around the table. Sarah Nuseiri”

Dear Raquel, Its amazing to see how many gorgeous tables evolved out of one Maccabee Hanukkah holiday! Even though your table may not have cost a fortune, it looks like a million bucks! I love how you tied up the napkins and placed the gift boxes along the table! Stunning! Marlene M.

“Dear Marlene,

I love to have fun setting my table for all different kinds of events. I recently heard about your website and decided to check it out. I loved so many of the ideas I decided to share my own.
I had a small Chanukah dinner party and stuck to the traditional blue and silver theme. I put a silver table cloth by Allison (718) 415-3860 and 5 mirror squares lined up as my runner from Amazing Savings (a great thing to have and keep for all kinds of ocassions). On the mirrors I scattered chocolate coins, glittered snow flakes that cost $1 and filled blue candle holders from Ikea with dreidels. As a finishing touch I sprinkled blue sprinkles on the mirrors.
I used my Murval placemats which I already owned from Kitchen Caboodles. As accents, I used blue and silver boxes from Amazing Savings which were less than $2 with a small gift inside for each of my guests. I also cut out dreidel shaped placecards. Instead of the traditional napkin rings I used a ‘Happy Hannukah’ ribbbon to wrap my napkins as a gift- as a little treat I placed chocolate coins in each napkin!
From,
Raquel Fallas”

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I call this “Rosh Hashanah” Honey Chicken, but of course you can use recipe all year round. I devised my own version of this recipe after hunting online for a roasted holiday chicken marinade. Make sure you continually baste and brush with the honey at the end of roasting. You don’t want leathery dry chicken on Rosh Hashanah!

The overnight marinade is also essential for the great flavor boost. I made it last week and I knew it was good when my son’s teenage friend kept forking more chicken pieces over into his plate. I heard him say , “This is great chicken” as he was gobbling it up.

Teens don’t lie! (at least not about food…)

Enjoy and Happy New Year! Marlene

Ingredients for Rosh Hashanah Roasted Honey Chicken:

3 chickens cut into 10 pieces each, or you can order 3 packs of chicken legs and thighs separated.(I always order my chicken pieces without the skin.)

Make a paste and marinate overnight:

3/4 cup olive oil (if you buy chicken without the skin, then use more olive oil so it doesn’t dry out.)

Raquel Habert is a very busy woman. Besides finding the time to cater everybody else’s Rosh Hashanah holiday table, she also found time to create a fabulous Parisian lunch for her entire family. This lunch is a perfect inspiration for SUKKOT, so keep these pics on your desktop and wait for your stomach to start rumbling!!! Call Raquel to cater your next party! Enjoy! Marlene

Hi Marlene,

Inspired from my trip to Paris last year – I wanted to serve all the food in individual portions Not being able to find the right table cloth, so I went to the fabric store and bought a black leather cloth and made a runner from that black and white fabric. I happen to love inspiring messages, so each Eiffel tower place card holder had a word printed on it – happiness, gratitude, honor, love grace etc … and each card also the guest’s name on it.

I found butterflies at Kitchen Caboodles and placed them on my napkins.
Mirrors were used as chargers.
I set up the food in the kitchen on display boxes with mirrors And I also bought lamp posts online to create the Paris street setting.
I also got the individual ramekins from kitchen caboodles and the martini glasses and large glasses for salads.

I’ll send over the pics now !
Raquel Habert
(917)536-2122

carmelized onion goat cheese tarts with fresh figs and truffle oil

mac and cheese logs

fried eggplant squares topped with sautéed spinach and piece of grilled salmon on top

WOW!! What a gorgeous holiday table!! If you are looking for elegant table setting ideas then you’ve come to the right place! Viviane’s flair for color and style is evident with the effort that she put into her Rosh Hashanah table. Shades of the color purple are associated with royalty, wisdom, and mystery in which the flowers, dishes, placemats and stemware add the extra touch of sophistication to the table.

I love how she so cleverly used Kim Seybert napkin rings as a backdrop for printed place cards for her guests! And the individual simanim for each family member! What a cool idea! Love it! I’m sure adults and children alike went home with wonderful holiday memories that reflected the effort and thought that went into this special holiday table setting. (Not to mention all the the yummy kosher holiday recipes that were prepared as well! Viviane- send us your holiday menu also!!) Shana Tova! Marlene

“I got my idea online from a Chinese hostess website. I bought the spoons from a restaurant warehouse and the plates underneath from CB2. I went to Paper Moon Invitations on Avenue P and had them print up the cards with each beracha. Then I went to Lana fabric on Kings Highway and bought organza plum ribbon and tied each one to each spoon. Every person got their own plate with their own spoons and simanim. What a nice night! Viviane”

Enjoy this repost of my Rosh hashanah table setting from 2012!

What will be YOUR Rosh Hashanah table decor style for 2013?

This Rosh Hashanh (2012), I decided to purchase two ram’s horns as accents to my Rosh Hashanah table decor. The horns flanked a centerpiece of gorgeous orchids and ruby red roses and “new” Rosh Hashanah fruits embedded within the display- all designed by Shirley Bar Nathan.

Originally I had planned on using jelly apples with butterfly place card holders on each dish (pictured down below), but the jelly apples were a little more tedious than I had anticipated, so I ended up using about 10 of them as an accent on the table. I bought a couple dozen bumble bee sugar shapes on Amazon.com.Sugar Bumble Bees Cake Decorations (1 dz)

My napkin rings were simple burgundy strips of tied velvet ribbon that picked up upon the colors of the pomegranate and the new fruits within the table’s centerpiece. A simple wood honey dipper (saved from last year’s Rosh Hashanah table setting) slipped into each “napkin ring” served as extra Rosh Hashanah table themed decor. Every table setting had their own little individualized plate of Simanim, which made it much easier to clear away and serve my dinner buffet style on the server. Candles and little golden tea lights added to our romantic themed new year’s table. Email me with any questions! Wishing all of my hostesses a healthy an happy and successful year!

P.S. PLEASE FOLLOW @thejewishhostess on Instagram for up to the minute new recipes and table setting ideas shared by Jewish women worldwide.

What a stunning bridal shower! Thanks for sending in these photos, Nathalie! Im loving how your “mum” used the patten of the British flag to line the fabulous cupcakes, cake pops, and desserts! Love the umbrella invitation, and fish and chips too. The colors happen to be such a bright and gorgeous contrast. I’m sure it looked “smashing”!

Marlene

Hi Marlene,

My mum, Daniella Salem, made me the most amazing shower when I was getting married last year. The theme was British because I grew up there. The invitation was an umbrella because it always rains there. Everything was red, white and blue and she even made fish and chips to stick with the theme! But the most spectacular part was the dessert table which was covered completely in flowers with white desserts only. It was the most magnificent shower! She used the center flower strip for a gorgeous table later in the week. No one does it like my mum Best,

“Hi Marlene!First off i have to say I LOVE your blog/website and check for updates several times a day. I cant tell you how helpful it is, especially being a newlywed and trying to come up with new ideas all the time.With Hanuka being my favorite holiday, I decided to whip up a brunch for both sides of my family (first time ever cooking for anyone besides for my husband!).Okay, so really everything was budget friendly.. Though it required 6 trips to 3 different home goods…! All the candy Apothecary jars were from there and I filled them with different things like dreidels ornaments chocolate gelt gum balls etc.. Feathers and vase were from Julie’s flowers…

Thank you Kineret Spector for sending in this beautiful inspiring story about the importance of carrying on our wonderful Jewish holidays and traditions! Marlene

The Reason for Everything

It was Sunday night dinner in our Sukkah. Family and good friends totaling 20 were gathered around the table, already a beautiful sight! I beamed at my guests for a minute and thanked everyone for being there, before turning to go in for the soup. Suddenly, my friend Jody’s daughter spoke up.”I want to say something!” she announced. We all turned to look at Gilda, 6 years old, a normally reserved and serious child, and shy around adults – definitely not one to speak up at a table of 20. But Gilda showed no sign of hesitation as she continued, “I just want to say how happy I am to be here in this Sukkah, and it is so beautiful in here, and I really love it. I am so happy.” Her eyes glistened as she looked around the Sukkah.

I was speechless. Years of hosting, cooking, decorating, inviting. Every Shabbat and holiday, as we say, Eem kol ha lev - with our whole heart. And always to a happy, satiated, and appreciative crowd. But Gilda’s pure and genuine compliment, in all its simplicity, instantly reminded me (and provided a case in point to my whole family), why we do this at all. For our children. For the next generation of Jews.

Every Shabbat and Holiday is ultimately for them, but especially Sukkot. We know the symbolism of a sukkah and retell it every year. But for children, it’s even more than that. It’s a fort! A little hut! A small house! An enchanted little getaway. And we get to have this in our driveway every year because we’re Jewish!While the Sukkah is being erected, the kids are hard at work at the decoration table, making paper chains, paper lanterns, and welcome signs. They get to decide where it goes. It’s their own little Sukkah fort. Truly, the party starts that evening, as it all starts to come together.

For Gilda, the magical appeal of a sukkah may have been just that spark that evoked the gush of appreciation and awareness. I’m so lucky. I’m so happy. I’m Jewish. I’m part of something. Our kids do as we do. We tell them we’re Jewish, we model the rituals and tradition, we tell and retell stories of our ancestors, we explain and we teach. But to witness the moment when the first burst of genuine spirituality is stirred in a child – that is just a transcending experience. From oldest to youngest, we were all touched by a little bit of sukkah magic that night.

Kineret Spector lives in Los Angeles with her husband and four daughters. Please ‘like’ her facebook page BSG Tablescapes.

Thanks Lorene for another stunning holiday table setting! I love your tropical greens,reds and oranges! Those colors make me so happy and in the mood yet to eat ANOTHER holiday meal!!!

These festive colors and easy runner idea is also great for a Sukkot table!

Shana Tova!! Marlene

Hey Marlene,

Shana Tova!

I did the first night by me and it was just a few of us. My kids colored little Shofar name cards, and because I love the colors of the dates,apples and poms I had to make a centerpiece with them. Here’s my table! Enjoy!

from Lorene Sasson

p.s. The green runner is actually a sheer window panel from Ikea. And the plates are from Amazing Savings!

Dear Sara, I’m so glad that we are able to share in each other’s Jewish traditions through this site! I’m sure that your grandson felt extra special during this monumental event in his life. Your love for him shines on through!

Attention all Jewish Hostesses! If your have great pictures of your little boy’s Kippah and Tzitzis parties please send them in to marlene(at)thejewishhostess.com. I would love to feature them! Marlene

“Dear Marlene,

I am enclosing a picture of my great grandson’s third birthday party in honor of his putting on a yarmulka (kippah) and tzitzis for the first time. The place settings were made using white square paper plates which were enhanced with black electrical tape and strings to imitate a pair of tzitzis. The centerpieces were yarmulkas (kippahs) which had the letters of his name cut out of kraft paper and applied to them. They were staged on top of glass goblets.

Grandma Joyce Wolf put a lot of detailed touches to this sugar sweet event for the first “Joyce” granddaughter in the family. I’m especially loving the height variations on the shades of rosy pink dessert table, the hanging ballet slippers from the chandelier, the lacy pink placemats peeking through the clear glass trays, the individual fruit cups, the personalized tulle wrapped cookies, the melt in your mouth cotton candy cones, the chocolate multi colored drizzled strawberries, and the melange of pink candies in an array of glass containers. What did I leave out??? Comment below! Marlene